U.S. Mines Produced $1.5 Billion Less in Minerals in 2020

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. produced fewer minerals in 2020, relying on imports for some considered critical to the economy and national security.

Output at U.S. mines totaled around $82.3 billion in 2020, $1.5 billion lower than the prior year, according to a U.S. Geological Survey report released Tuesday.

Imports made up more than half of U.S consumption for 46 non-fuel mineral commodities in 2020. Of those, 17 were entirely sourced abroad, with 14 deemed “critical” to the nation’s economy and national security. The materials are used in renewable energy generation and storage and infrastructure technologies, the report said.

The USGS also identified 23 mineral commodities, including cobalt, niobium, tungsten and others classified as “rare earth elements,” as posing the greatest supply risk for the U.S. manufacturing sector.

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